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1: One big problem with the NIL (aka pay for play) is that the universities are what draw the fans, not the players. People argue that "they deserve a piece of the pie", etc., but the big money comes from rabid fans and alumni of the schools, not from fans wanting to watch certain players. I wish they would form a minor league football and see how much interest there is...wait, we already have that. It's called the XFL, USFL, UFL and the players don't make much money ($5,500/wk) and there aren't many fans at the games. Put the Rengades in Alabama uniforms and the Stallions in Auburn uniforms and you'd sell out AT&T stadium. Why, because the players don't matter, the universities are what matter (as it pertains to attendance). Another example is the NBA D-League. What kind of money are those guys making? (I'll save you the Google search, they make $25K/yr). I have to assume that's peanuts compared to many of the NIL deals players are getting. If you want to get paid, go pro. Nobody is making you go to college to get a free education that will benefit you for the rest of your life. 2: I hate the argument that "coaches make big money and can leave for another job whenever they want to." See the last two sentences of the previous point. If you want to be able to do that, go pro. Make it your career just like the coaches have done. There are a very limited number of head coaching jobs at the college level and these coaches have put in LONG hours and worked their way up to the positions that they are in. Nobody was giving them millions of dollars when they were a GA busting their tail for nothing.

It's not been reported over there yet....but we lost another b-ball player to the portal y'day (Terrence Dixon). He played very little. But, as of this point......that will mean, if no one else leaves......9 new players in basketball next year. And, I'm guessing it's gonna be close to 50 new players in football this season. To me, that's not sustainable. You have to have some kind of relationship with the players. They can't all be "rentals."

There’s no contradiction. The average fan/alumni aren’t paying NIL, it’s the big donors and corporations. And they’re only doing it because that’s the way it is under the current, broken system. My 2nd point is that comparing college coaches with college players is neither a fair nor equal comparison.

I was kind of hoping this HSO thread would help me get over the hump and renew the two season tickets I’ve had since the days of dirt at Fouts Field and the old cement urinals there. Unfortunately I, probably like some others, can’t seem to generate any old fashioned enthusiasm for the new version of “ here today gone tomorrow, pass through jocks . Somehow there just seems to be a missing piece; commitment, loyalty, alma mater. Yesterday’s discarded intangibles. Well, today is deadline day, can I break an old habit?

If that was in Latin it could be SMU's motto.

Yes to all. Fans come to support our school against another school. If players want to be paid (beyond a scholarship) to represent the school, then it's simply time for contracts.

play in MSG v. Villanova or a 1/3rd full Super Pit v. Tulsa. tough call.

Odufuwho?…. Odufuwa!

St. John's is a top 5 Big East team (a "High Major" conference). They play big home games in MSG. It's a great landing spot for him. He'll get a ton of eyeballs on him there.

Good news, no black jerseys this weekend!

The Florida attorney general has sued the ACC, saying the conference's media rights contracts and ESPN agreements must be made public under the laws of the state. https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/fsu/2024/04/25/fsu-gains-support-from-florida-ag-in-battle-with-acc-ag-files-lawsuit/73450812007/ I look forward to hearing from @SMU2006 how this makes it even more certain the ACC will prevail.

I know the ACC means a lot to you since your school has been a member for so long, but that judge sending the case to mediation has nothing to do with the merits of the suit. It is his normal practice. “I send every case to mediation except mortgage foreclosures. This is not being done any differently.” -- Judge John C. Cooper https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/22/judge-orders-florida-state-and-the-atlantic-coast-conference-to-mediation-in-latest-legal-round/

Definitely need a clear starting 4, but would like to replace Aaron with someone who can stretch the floor like he did. Plus a liability at the FT line (68%). This is beyond the obvious disinfection processes someone from SMU would require.

1,900 players entered the portal. I try to not even speculate who we should be targeting because my guesses are never right. There would be dozens that'd make perfect sense but we somehow find players unheard-of (though they usually work out).

Tyreek Smith RS-SR6-8205 Trinity Christian School(Cedar Hill, TX) Just entered the portal today. We need a power forward. This would be his 4th school. He was a starter for Smut this season.

Tony Mitchell under an inspiring coach and quality nucleus.

Damn, we should have a separate forum for these conference realignment discussions.

As noted in the quote you selected, one is an AAC Starter and the other was a starter on a NCAA Tourney team.

I fixed it for you and added SMU when the ACC folds!

Keep dreamin!

For anyone who hasn't experienced the greatness of Hutchins, you should treat yourself the next time you are in either Frisco or McKinney. Some of the best brisket I've had (and other good stuff too). And... since UNT has expanded into Frisco, I guess we can claim Hutchins as a UNT BBQ place 😎

No Way Jose! Just the opportunity for him to get out of Jersey is payment enough!

https://www.hudl.com/profile/11659943/DREW-MESTEMAKER

Man, I miss that joint. Don’t really miss Longview, but that was good stuff.

You guys are all delusional. I have a hard time believing that the cut-off will be 30ish teams. Its obvious that's where it is in reality, and dollars (revenue, budgets, etc). But too many of these schools have enough delusional donors who are willing to keep throwing money at it. Why does NIL make that change? I think most of you don't actually talk to any of these big money guys. They aren't jumping out....they are jumping in. And always have. Now it's legal to pay players to win...so anyone with a conscious before when it was illegal doesn't have that hanging over them now. See SMU, Baylor, etc. We're all a bunch of poor schmo's here. Look at the scroll that runs across this very site. That ain't big money scrolling through here. True some of the big donors post on here, but not the Ryans or the 4 billionaire types that fund dirty schmoo.

Go bring this kid back home to DFW! Quincy Wright 0.8700 HS DL 6-2 / 313

Well that eliminates one game I can go to. Senior ceremony is also going to be after the second game tomorrow. Hate that weather is getting in the way of this most accomplished senior class in our softball program's history.

This is what's referred to as talking out one's backside.

Your delusion would be funny if it weren’t so sad.

That's right they'll shuffle them "DOWN" In this new world, who is SMU more aligned with? Rutgers, Vandy, NW and a few others? or Ohio St, Bama, Texas, USC (I didn't want to turn this into an SMU topic but you just can't seem to accept reality...)

Recent Past With all the excitement over Tylor Perry we quickly forgot about the best player from our recent past. The stats and awards bear it out. In my mind the answer is Javion Hamlet. No other player has accomplished what he has. https://meangreensports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/javion-hamlet/4731 Imagine what he would have accomplished if the 2020 NCAA Tournament had not been cancelled. We won the Conference in 2020 and arguably that was the best team we have ever had.

The ACC will be picked apart just like the PAC was. Big12 will help in the raiding, just as they did with the PAC.

returning (so far) 1. Rondel Walker - 6'5" 180 Sr., wing 2. Matt Stone - 6'4" 200 Sr., wing 3. Moulaye Sissoko - 6'10" 250 Sr., post 4. Terrance Dixon - 6'8" 235 Jr/Soph?, post (scholarship?) 5. Alex Cotton - 6'5" 195, Fr., wing transfers 6. Johnathan Massie (Longwood) - 6'6" 190 Sr., wing ... 11.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 35% 3pt% 7. Jasper Floyd (Fairfield) - 6'3" 195 Sr., guard ... 9.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 4.1apg, 2.4 steals/game (9th in nation) 8. Latrell Jossel (SFA) - 6'1" 185 Sr., guard ...12.9ppg, 2.3apg, 37% 3pt% 9. Brock Vice (Creighton) - 6'10" 245 Fr., post ...redshirted '23-24 season freshmen 10. Tyron Mason (Plano) - 6'6" 185 Fr., wing if we assume Dixon is on scholarship. there should be three more to play with. apparently 2 D1 transfers are on campus this week. there's not a ton of size, but a lot of length on the wings which could make up for not having a legit 4. Floyd's numbers present him as a true PG...no clue on Jossel, but looks more like a scorer...I think either way, we need bare-minimum one more ball-handler. Vice/Dixon are both pure wild-cards...I'd say at least one more 6'8"-6'10" player no matter what...if either/both can contribute next season, then my last ship goes to another scoring guard...if not, go big

On the face of it, St. John's doesn't sound very impressive. Nothing like Rubbin going to Michigan. I looked it up, St. John's actually averaged over 10k a game last season. Many voices have been telling us over the years that we need to pick up our attendance if we want to be able to get to the next level. I don't doubt that at least played some part in losing Aaron to St. John's.

For everyone who says they love Bodacious in Longview, (as you should, it's great), try Country Tavern just outside of Kilgore next time. Maybe the best BBQ I've ever had.

I promise this'll be my last softball-in-football-forum spamming, I thought it was worth it since we're about to enter the most boring time of the sports year. There are three more chances to root for your Mean Green before football season. Those come this weekend in a crucial softball series with Wichita State, who won the AAC last year. Whether you buy tickets and sit in the stands, or cheer on from the outfield for free, get to Denton and support the ladies! Here's how the AAC is shaping up this year. The top two seeds get a double bye in the conference tournament and only have to win two games May 10-11 in Wichita to get to the NCAA Tournament. SCHOOL CONF CPCT. OVERALL PCT. HOME AWAY NEUTRAL LAST 2 SERIES Florida Atlantic 16-5 .762 36-12 .750 22-6 11-6 3-0 @ South Florida, vs. Tulsa Charlotte 15-6 .714 29-16 .644 15-8 9-7 5-1 @ UAB, vs. North Texas North Texas 15-6 .714 28-19 .596 15-8 10-9 3-2 vs. Wichita State, @ Charlotte Tulsa 12-9 .571 27-18 .600 13-3 9-11 5-4 vs. UTSA, @ Florida Atlantic Wichita State 12-9 .571 21-19 .525 7-7 9-8 5-4 @ North Texas, vs. Memphis UAB 12-9 .571 21-24 .467 13-5 3-15 5-4 vs. Charlotte, @ East Carolina South Florida 10-11 .476 31-18 .633 23-11 8-7 0-0 vs. Florida Atlantic, @ UTSA East Carolina 9-12 .429 32-16 .667 23-8 5-8 4-0 @ Memphis, vs. UAB UTSA 3-18 .143 12-37 .245 3-10 2-17 7-10 @ Tulsa, vs. South Florida Memphis 1-20 .048 5-37 .119 4-19 1-13 0-5 vs. East Carolina, @ Wichita State

This new proposed contingency ACC sure walks and quacks like a non power conference. Why would anyone allow them to stay a Power conference without the teams that make them a power conference? I have an idea: when the PAC 12 goes away, let’s change the name of the AAC to the PAC 12: Boom, now we’re in a power conference.

Some musings. First, G5 realignment for efficiency? HAHAHAHA yeah that's been bandied around and ain't no one ever bit on it. I'm very happy with what Sun Belt West looks like, odds are a shuffle gives me something I don't like especially since every let's draw a pretty conference on map nerd out there is convinced Arkansas State belongs in a Texas alignment when its basically same distance to Atlanta as Denton and there's a LOT of schools closer than UNT, the closest G5 in Texas. Now as to a playoff. To quote former Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters when someone asked him if the flavor of the day G5 consortium idea would work, "You only need one network to love you." If you can get CBS, Fox, NBC, or even ABC/ESPN on board to go all-in and carry the bulk of this tournament on over-the-air TV on Saturdays, then it's going to deliver better audiences than virtually every G5 v G5 bowl game that ever existed. Bundling a 7 game or 11 game or even 15 game tournament is going to be more efficient and more marketable than TV rights to a bunch of single game bowls and same for sponsorships. Financially it is more cost effective to send Toledo to Jonesboro on Friday to play Saturday than to send A-State and Toledo both to Montgomery and make them both spend four nights there. You will sell more tickets presumably to UNT hosting Utah State in Denton than you likely sell for the same game in Tucson or Albuquerque. The finances start making sense fairly easily. Here's the critical element to me. Third Saturday in December has long been G5 Bowl-a-Palooza on TV, that's now first weekend of the CFP with one game Friday and three on Saturday. If ESPN bothers to put any bowls that day, they get swamped and they are probably on ESPN2 or ESPNU. Fourth Saturday is likely to be flooded with games like the Liberty Bowl and Alamo Bowl P4 vs P4 games. Again if G5 get that slot, it's probably ESPN2 or ESPNU. Maybe get to play bowl games the Saturday after New Years but the competition isn't just NFL, it's NFL playoff football. The likely outcome is the Texas Twister Tyler Texas Bowl pitting AAC #6 and MAC #3 is going to be played a 2pm on Tuesday before Christmas or such. G5 is likely getting shifted to more weeknight bowl games and maybe more weekday games during work hours. If that's what's coming down the pike, then fine. Find me a network that will commit to Saturday over-the-air broadcasts in addition to cable channel broadcasts during the four Saturdays that CFP isn't playing. Probably best scenario is play one week, take a week off then play the next two in consecutive weeks in a 7 game format. No rocket science involved, top team from each G5 (so four champs plus whomever from the league getting a CFP berth) and three at-large based on whatever arbitrary and senseless ranking one cooks up or if 12 then 7 at-large. Bowls pretty much fade out and coaches getting laurels for 6-6 and 7-5 not so much any more.

Might be a year or two sooner but its going to cost them a FORTUNE. ACC will then use that war chest to raid the Big 12.

Back-to back National Polo Champs! Beat Smut in Virginia 17-8. The Phonies didn't have the horses to keep up with us...

I think you're right about them getting into those conferences. I think it will be sooner than later though.

I wonder where he’ll play his senior year?

Oh man. Poor Memphis. I feel so so bad for them. They were so convinced.

Unless you know a kid can come in and contribute right away, what is the benefit of signing guys out of high school. I think this really hurts recruiting at that level. Why develop them for someone else? The only players that will use the red shirt year will be ones at big schools getting paid nice NIL deals to sit the bench as insurance. Going to have to be able to adapt quickly to the new landscape in college athletics.

Great news: The Mean Green have won this national polo championship for an unprecedented two years in a row. Not so great news: The Mean Green polo ponies have entered the transfer portal ….Rumors are it was the allure of more NIL hay!

Who cares?

I can’t wait for all the dead weight in these conferences to get their overdue karma. Indiana, Illinois, Vandy, South Carolina, Maryland, Northwestern and others. Media distributors are start paying attention to the big money they are paying for games with low ratings. If I am media next round, I am not paying one extra dollar for the rights to games like Iowa vs Minnesota, or Rutgers vs Maryland. There are a ton more of those games than Penn State vs Michigan.